If you are a friend or supporter of Deal Music & Arts, or indeed a regular attendee at our events, you will know Willie Cooper, our General Manager.

Willie is the beloved lady who makes everything happen, she steers our organisation on a day-to-day basis, working with and supporting everyone in the DMA team.  Willie is one of those truly indispensable people, a true force for good with an unstoppable energy that totally belies her years.

But here are a few things you may not know about Willie.  She comes from a background of Fundraising and was a member of the Institute of Fundraising. She has been successfully involved with fundraising appeals (unpaid!) launched on behalf of many charities, which include The Samaritans, Relate and The Cyrenians. Marketing and Public Relations have been a major part of her working life. She was Director of Canterbury Samaritans for six years. She was Chair of East Kent Relate for ten years and spent nine years on the National Council of Relate. She is also Chair of Herne Bay Improvement and Conservation Trust. Willie completed a journalism course with the London School of Journalism. She has twice been a judge on the RTS Education Television Awards. She is also Treasurer of Music at St Peters in Canterbury, chair of Herne Bay Philanthropic Society and a Trustee of the Astor Theatre in Deal, The Changeling Theatre Company and Lilys Community Kitchen.

This week we feature Willie Cooper, in an interview with DMA Chair and journalist & broadcaster, Christopher Cook.